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Sprinklers installed into flats for adults with learning disabilities

28 June 2011

Following a Fire Safety exchange and information day, held by Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, East Boro Housing Trust and Domestic Sprinklers Ltd have installed sprinklers into new supported living flats for adults with learning disabilities.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service Fire Safety Protection Team have been working closely with Housing Associations in Dorset. We have developed a programme to assist them with a positive and proactive approach towards fire safety, and giving support where appropriate. The aim of this is to improve our communities' safety by reducing the risk of death or serious injury from fire, as well as ensuring that the Housing Associations are aware of their responsibilities under the Fire Safety Order.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service Fire Safety Officer, Emma Turner said: "To support this programme we produced and developed an exchange of information day. Housing Associations were given advice so they could better understand the legal requirements placed on them, as well as discuss alternative fire safety solutions for the buildings they are responsible for. As part of the days programme, we used our Sprinkler Demonstration unit, to show the benefit of sprinkler systems."

Kevin Hodder, Chief Executive of East Boro Housing Trust said: "After attending the DFRS information day we realised the effectiveness of sprinklers in saving lives, as well as protecting property. We commissioned Domestic Sprinklers Ltd to install a system in the supported housing scheme we are building near to DFRS headquarters at Poundbury and eight days later this part of the project was complete. We are now looking at having sprinklers built into the design of future projects, but this was an opportunity too good to miss."

Emma added: "DFRS has met one of our strategic aims by working with our partners to make Dorset safer. But the reality is, the sprinkler system has actually made this home a safer place to be for a vulnerable group in our community."

Colin Taylor of Domestic Sprinklers said: "We are proud to be working in partnership with Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and East Boro Housing to be able to deliver this particular project on time."